Veteran wheelchair games: More than medals

This week is like a family reunion for Joseph Lewis of Williamsburg. But instead of relaxing at a picnic, he chose the motorized slalom.

All he had to do was rev up his wheelchair.

Lewis, 57, is one of 600 participants in the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games, held this year in Richmond. This is his fourth competition, and he views it as more than a chance to win medals, although he's won a few – eight, if you're counting.

"I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world," he said by phone Tuesday after picking up a silver medal. "It's nice to see the same people that made me smile four years ago. They make me smile now. It's awesome."

In addition to good feelings, the games are big business.

Hosted by the McGuire VA Medical Center, veteran athletes have come from all 50 states, Great Britain, Puerto Rico and Guam. They have snapped up 2,000 hotel rooms. The games will generate a cool $3 million for the Richmond community, according to organizers.

But for participants like Lewis, an Air Force veteran paralyzed after a 1990 traffic accident, the games offer the chance to stretch his physical and mental limits.

He worked as a building contractor before the accident and has continued to stay active in the business, adding computer-aided design skills to his repertoire. He helps people who need designs for handicapped-accessible changes to their homes, and does it for free.

The wheelchair games bring a different challenge.

"By going to the games, I'm doing stuff I've never done even before I was hurt," he said.

The slalom competition is a modified obstacle course for the wheelchair-bound. Contestants are required to move forward, backward and figure their way through to the end.

"It's a long course and they try to trick you – but it's wonderful," he said.

In all, 17 competitions are on the agenda, including trapshooting, basketball, power soccer and bowling. The Hampton VA Medical Center has sent seven patients to the games, including Lewis and Michael Hudson, a native of Illinois.

This was Hudson's first wheelchair games, and the Army veteran was disqualified in the slalom competition. A quadriplegic who controls his wheelchair with a lever manipulated by his chin, he said he's not getting down on himself.

"I did pretty good for my first time," he said.

Lewis said fans are not only forgiving, but energizing.

"You might get up that morning and not feel so well," he said. "But then you get there and people are chanting, 'Joe, Joe, Joe.' I can't let them down."

Richmond hosted the first wheelchair games in 1981, which brought 74 veterans from 14 states. Lewis said the city has done well to accommodate the crush.

"They got 600 wheelchairs that hit the city," he said, laughing. "If you're not used to that...."